Bourjos takes over Angels leadoff spot

April 15, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Minnesota's Aaron Hicks advances to third on a wild pitch as Angels third baseman Luis Jimenez, wearing number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, takes the late throw Monday. The Twins won, 8-2. GENEVIEVE ROSS, The Associated Press

Minnesota's Aaron Hicks advances to third on a wild pitch as Angels third baseman Luis Jimenez, wearing number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day, takes the late throw Monday. The Twins won, 8-2. GENEVIEVE ROSS, The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS – Injuries to Erick Aybar and Alberto Callaspo and the shift of Mike Trout to the No. 2 spot have opened the door for Peter Bourjos to show what he can do in the leadoff spot.

Bourjos went hitless in his first two games as leadoff man, but he led off Monday's game with a homer before going hitless in his next three trips.

Bourjos has no illusions about winning a long-term spot at the top of the lineup right now, but it's something he has his eye on down the road.

"With the way our lineup is, Erick is probably going to get the leadoff spot when he comes back and he'll do a great job," Bourjos said. "I'd love to lead off. I'm not sure if it will happen now, but down the road it's something I'd like."

Bourjos has the speed of a leadoff hitter, but so far in his career his on-base percentage (.301 coming into Monday's game) is too low and his strikeouts (one every 4.1 at-bats) too high.

"I think he has the potential," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "When you talk about a guy who sets the table, whether you hit first or second, it's an important role, and he has the potential to do that."

STILL SCUFFLING

The Angels went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position Monday night, dropping their average to .129 for the season. The Angels have played 13 games and they have just 12 hits with runners in scoring position.

"That's what it comes down to, getting hits when guys are on base in scoring position," said Josh Hamilton. "We have gotten guys on, we just haven't gotten them in. That's what it is."

Scioscia said some of the credit goes to Minnesota Twins starter Kevin Correia, who gave up two runs – on solo homers by Bourjos and Brendan Harris – in seven innings.

"Correia is not going to wow you with his stuff, but he had a little cutter and changed speeds," Scioscia said. "He has some movement on his ball. He pitched a strong game for them."

INJURY UPDATES

Callaspo, who is out because of a tight right calf, took batting practice and fielded some ground balls. Scioscia said that Callaspo will remain on the roster for this series while he undergoes treatment, and they'll make a decision on Thursday or Friday if he needs to go on the disabled list.

Aybar went to Arizona to have treatment on his bruised left heel. Aybar has been doing therapy in the pool so he does not have to bear weight on his heel. Scioscia said it will be "another five days before he gets some baseball activities." Aybar is eligible to come off the DL on April 25.

Kevin Jepsen, who is on the DL because of a right shoulder strain, underwent testing on Monday in Southern California, but the Angels did not release the results yet.

NOTES

LHP Michael Roth had packed for a trip to Texas at Double-A when he got the call to the majors, so he had to do some shopping for cold-weather clothes on Monday afternoon in Minneapolis. ... First base coach Alfredo Griffin was not with the team because he had a commitment related to his application for U.S. citizenship. Ty Boykin, a minor league coach, coached first base. ...The weather report does not look good for Wednesday's series finale or Thursday, a mutual off day for the teams. If they need to play a makeup game, the teams only one have one mutual off day, and the players association would have to approve a makeup game on that day because it would force the teams to play more than 20 consecutive days.

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